Jannik Sinner’s new coach is a former long jump champion who has plenty of experience in dealing with Novak Djokovic’s angry outbursts. Sinner has decided to freshen up his support team in the wake of the doping scandal which dominated the headlines at the US Open.
The Italian submitted two positive tests for clostebol, a banned substance, earlier this year but was cleared of any wrongdoing. An independent tribunal found that the positive tests were the result of contamination from his then-physio.
Sinner confirmed he had split with fitness coach Umberto Ferrara and physio Giacomo Naldi after avoiding a ban. And after winning his second Grand Slam title at the US Open, it was confirmed that Marco Panichi had been drafted in to replace Ferrara as Sinner’s new fitness coach.
Panichi is a highly experienced operator, having worked with Djokovic for several years before leaving his camp in April. He recently opened up on how he was screamed at by the Serb, who is known for struggling to control his temper when things go against him.
“We knew that it was nothing personal, we knew that sometimes he needed that [to release his anger] in order to play at his best,” Panichi told Sportal. “We knew how his mind worked when to tell him something and when not to say anything.
“He’s the type of player that sometimes needs that. With a player of his size, there is always stress. You have to deal not only with him but also with the whole organisation.
“A player like him represents the industry for himself, that’s the source of stress. Also, an elite tennis player like him always asks you for more, more and more. It’s part of the game.”
Panichi tweaked Djokovic’s fitness regime to include exercises such as yoga and tai chi, according to The Sports Rush, while he is also said to specialise in the field of injury prevention. It remains to be seen if he will be able to have a similarly successful partnership with Sinner in the coming years.
He is a former professional athlete, having won two Italian long jump titles before turning to a career in coaching. Panichi boasts a degree in sport coaching and sport psychology, having graduated from NSU University in Florida.
Over the years, he has worked with the national tennis federations of several countries such as Italy, China, Germany and Israel. He has also helped several other players, including the likes of Li Na, Cristian Garin and Fabio Fognini, during his time as a fitness coach.